After almost an hour, we arrived at the place. Still inside the car, Adam asked,
"But will they let minors in?"
Brandon answered with a grin,"Nothing a hundred dollars can't fix."
"All right then," Adam said. And just like Brandon predicted, they really did let us in.
As soon as I walked inside, I saw drunk people dancing to loud music. Adam and Emma went straight to the dance floor. Jhenna came closer and asked,
"What do you want to drink, Mia?"
"A soda," I replied.
I looked at her and added,"I don't want anything too strong."
Brandon looked at me with a half-smile.
"Mia, better"
Jhenna nudged him."Let her."
He simply said,"Okay."
"And you, Brandon?" I asked.
"The usual," he answered.
"No, an energy drink. I'll have to babysit a bunch of kids."
Jhenna walked off. I tapped Brandon and said,
"I'm not a kid."
He laughed."Of course you are. A little baby."
We burst into laughter. After a few seconds, our eyes met.
"Wanna dance?" he asked, pulling me slightly.
I stared into his blue eyes; they seemed to hide a whole universe.
"Are you still dating Chad?" he asked.
"No," I answered.
"Why?" he pressed.
"It's a long story," I murmured.
Jhenna came back with a drink, and I drank it quickly. It tasted awful. Brandon frowned.
"Slow down, Mia Holis."
Adam walked over, grabbed the cup from my hand, and said,
"Are you crazy?"
"Adam, go have fun with Emma. I just want to enjoy myself," I said.
Emma looked at me, serious."Mia, this isn't fun."
"Go have fun. I'll take care of her," Brandon said.
Adam stared for a moment, but Emma pulled him back to the dance floor.
I felt light and excited at the same time. I drank more, and with each glass it felt like I was drifting further away from myself. At one point, I stepped away from Brandon; the floor felt like it had disappeared beneath my feet. I looked to the side and saw a guy who looked a lot like Chad.
"Hey, gorgeous. You alone?" he asked, getting closer.
My body went limp. He caught me and said,
"Whoa there."
Brandon rushed over and pulled me away.
"Dude, get away from her!"
He grabbed me by the arm and led me out. As soon as we got into the car, I sat in the backseat, everything spinning. Brandon sat beside me. I tried to sit up, but he said, irritated,
"Enough, Mia. Look at yourself."
He held me gently, laid my head on his lap, and ran his fingers through my hair.
"Sleep, Mia."
I fell asleep.
I woke up with my stomach turning. We were already on our way back; my head was on Emma's lap, and Brandon was driving. I sat up quickly.
"Awake, Sleeping Beauty?" Emma asked.
"We don't have to stop," Adam said, but Brandon pulled over anyway.
"I know. Go. Get out. Throw up outside," he ordered.
I ran toward some bushes and threw up until it felt like my soul was leaving my body. Brandon came up with a water bottle and helped me.
"Wash your face. It's cold, Mia. Let's go back to the car."
He started to turn around, but since we were finally alone, I asked,
"Brandon… did anything happen between us? I don't remember much."
He looked genuinely confused.
"Mia, of course not. You were completely drunk. What do you think I am?"
He turned away, but I grabbed his arm. He turned back to me.
"Sorry. I didn't mean it like that."
He sighed.
"Mia, that night at the party, I only pulled you to dance. I was joking when I pretended I was going to kiss you. I'm not that kind of guy."
"What do I have to do for you to change your mind about me?" he asked.
"Nothing. I believe you," I said.
He exhaled and replied,"Then let's go back to the car."
We continued the drive. When we left the highway and entered the narrow road toward the farms, Brandon accidentally cut off another car. He rolled down the window and gestured an apology, but the other driver wasn't in the mood. He started following us, speeding up.
"If he stops, he's gonna pick a fight!" Adam shouted.
All we could see were the headlights behind us and thick fog ahead. On a curve, Brandon couldn't make the turn, and the car went off the road, flipping over.
Everything spun violently. I remember my body being thrown from side to side as the world blurred into chaos.